After masterminding yet another bruising defeat against the Roosters the question needs to be asked as to where Craig Bellamy lies on the coaching pantheon in Australian history.
His 2021 has started just like every other season, with consistent performances, attacking prowess and a solid defensive line. What is the difference between 2021, as compared to other seasons?
The fact he doesn’t have his famed “Big 3” is a huge factor in this debate. In 2017, he produced arguably his best side ever, steamrolling to a minor premiership, a premiership, and having his captain take out the Dally M, all in one year. At that time, he had 3 of the greatest players ever at his disposal in Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk. 2018 rolls on, they lose Cronk to the Roosters, and the Storm make the grand final YET again.
2019 rolls on, Slater retires, it’s one amigo left, they push all the way to a minor premiership and a preliminary final, in which they come up short against his former halfbacks Roosters. 2020 rolls on, Cam’s swansong year, they adapt to the new rules, commonly not in their favour, and win a premiership.
2021? He loses arguably the greatest player to play the game, and they look as good as ever. Currently, in first position, their attack is IMMENSE, with the highest tally of FOR points in a 16 round game span, along with 10 wins – winning by more than 40 points!
Unreal stats right? The common denominator is that man at the helm, Craig Bellamy.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
They lose stars every year, that is nothing new to them, but with him there, there is ALWAYS a shot! Now some coaches cannot be replicated, some before my time, and some during my time. I know of the feats of Harry Hopman, the likes of Ric Charlesworth, Tony Roche, Mick Malthouse, Kevin Sheedy and even coaches in his own sport such as Jack Gibson and the ever-green, Wayne Bennett. All these names are coveted in Australian sports, and deservedly so.
The one knock I can picture people having against Bellamy, in his failed tenure as NSW coach, from 2008-2010. Not a great record at all, but as well documented, he’s probably not a coach you want to come in for a 6 week tenure alone, and enforce his craft upon you. He needs to settle his system and pitch his craft, for players to buy in, hence he suits the rigors of a week-to-week NRL coach.
Does that NSW record deter him from the likes of those coaches mentioned before? I don’t think it should. He has produced arguably the best sporting franchise in Australia, with renowned success and consistency, all under his tenure. He turns very average players into formidable players, he brings out the best in you and his record speaks for itself.
488 games coached at Melbourne, 340 wins, with a winning percentage of 70. 3 premierships (5 including those that were stripped), 4 minor premierships (7 including those that were stripped) and 2 World Club challenges (none played yet for the 2020 premiership).
While those stats are considerably impressive, I think it is the system and culture he has created in Melbourne which stands out. People tend to buy in when they relocate to Melbourne and players just seem to thrive under him. Not only is his success measured as greatness, but the way his team perform FOR him and UNDER him, maybe second to none.
What his side is doing in 2021 after losing Cameron Smith and historically being a team to slow down the ruck, albeit, with the new faster rules, they just adapt and conquer, adapt and conquer, and continue to roll on and perform at a high level. That all leads paths to one man, Craig Bellamy.
With a potential for a minor premiership and Premiership this year in 2021, Bellyache can just about lock in his spot at the top of all-time coaches.
Where does he stand for you, Roarers?
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
I like this! Great points.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Sheens deserves some wraps - had Bellamy, Stuart, Green and Maguire play under him (all premiership winningcoaches), and also Meninga
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The 2 best clubs that spot and develop talent are the Storm and Roosters. Both systems were set up by the same man - Peter O'Sullivan
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Bellamy is a great coach, and he has developed system and processes that make his teams, for lack of a better term, "plug and play". He has adapted to the changes in the game and exploited them all (which is a wrap, not a criticism). The 2021 Storm play a completely different style then the 2016, 2011 and 2016 teams. I don't think his Origin record can be considered a black mark, sample size is too small and his style yields results over the long term, not short. I don't put him above a guy like Bennett because Bennett has done it at multiple clubs - Premiership at 3 clubs, prelim final losses at the other 2. Closing in on 600 club wins at over 60%. I can't judge Gibson But Ric Charlesworth is top of the tree
peterj
Roar Rookie
Amazing coach and at the very top of the precipice in GOAT discussions. I mentioned to my dad recently I cannot wait until he retires and hopefully writes a book about his career as that would be something else. I don’t think anyone really uses his SOO origin record as anything substantial, otherwise big Mal would be considered the greatest coach of all time right?
Nat
Roar Guru
Good post kk.
kk
Roar Pro
I agree, Nat. If I may add... Paul Bunn, Tim Glasby and Geordie Dunn are the current office holders of the Recruitment and Pathways division of the Melbourne Storm juggernaut. This division is without peer at talent recognition in the world of Rugby League. The Penrith Panthers are best at creating and developing from junior ranks. I consider Craig Bellamy to be the very best Rugby League coach in my lifetime.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'd always thought Cameron Smith was the the key factor in various teams great success and while this season so far indicates Bellamy is just as effective without him and proves me wrong , I'll be interested to see how it all pans out from now on. Maybe Smith will be sorely missed in the biggest games like in 2008 or the team will prove they don't need him anymore and Bellamy can claim he's the best ever coach. That's how it's looking at the moment. The club has a remarkable record which ever way it's viewed.
Anna_B
Roar Rookie
For me Bellamy is than Bennett Norm Provan doesn't get the recognition he deserves Tim Sheens had a few good years too
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
As a avid some would say sporting tragic, I have often thought about a comparison to other sports to what Bellamy has achieved as a 1 club coach and the one thing that stands out for me is 2011. You have a team that has been stipped of its premierships the year before then goes out and wins the minor premiership in 2011 after losing some of its best players. His record and level of consistency from 2011 is unparalleled- 9 Top for 4 finishes in 10 seasons. 5 consecutive Top 2 finishes. Only 2 current coaches have a winning percentage above 60% Bellamy is at 71%. In my humble opinion he has passed Bennett but I'm sure others will disagree
Tony
Roar Guru
Isn't he in custody? :happy:
Harry
Guest
For me what shows that Bellamy is a phenomenal coach, and surely one of the best rugby league coaches ever (at least at club level), is the fact that he's able to change the way the Storm play - even when the playing personnel stay the same - depending on what the rules are in any given season. When the rules have rewarded a grinding, slow, rigidly structured brand of rugby league, Bellamy has got the Storm to play that way - and they've excelled. When the rules have rewarded a high-speed, expansive, eyes-up style of rugby league, Bellamy has got the Storm to play that way - and they've excelled. There are tactics that might be a Bellamy signature (wrestling being the most infamous one), but you couldn't say that there's a signature Bellamy style of play. There's no such thing as "Bellamy-ball". It's an extraordinary ability that he has, to get his players to excel in any environment, in any season, and I don't think he gets enough credit for it.
Taree Raider
Guest
I have always been a critic of Bellamy. No other workplace in the country could have a 'boss' that carries on like Bellamy does during a game, (half time included) & it not being seen as bullying. His behaviour is totally unprofessional, yet the NRL has never addressed it. I have spoken to a player who moved to the STORM from another NRL club & he has nothing but praise for Bellamy, he stated that he made everyones job simple, you know what was required & were expected to do your job. I always credited Bellamy's success on Cameron Smith. This year has proven me to be totally wrong. Bellamy is obviously a great coach. He can bring the best out of all players, if they don't meet his expectations they go. Simple, fair & true. Bellamy's representative coaching record does let him down, but that environment doesn't suit his style. In clubland he is the best coach there ever has been, his results prove that. But what will his legacy be the GOAT of Club Coaches Or the coach that will do anything to win regardless of outcome to the opponent's receiving the, Chickenwing, Cannonball, Crusher, Rollingpin? (I'm sure there are countless other tackles Craig had a hand in implementing) Did I mention the Salary Cap Rort. Has Craig ever given a full account of his knowledge of the events that gave the Storm the huge advantage the Rort gave them? I know that I didn't even watch the Storm v Roosters game last night, because I knew it would be a flogging dished out by the Bellamy led side. Same will go for most teams for the remainder of the year. Perhaps they should just have a best of 7 series games of the Storm v Panthers & forget about the rest of the season. Craig really is that good, he's made this year boring even without Cameron Smith. If Nathan Cleary doesn't get back on the field this year we may as well call the whole thing off & give the Storm the Premiership.
Coconut Codpiece
Roar Rookie
If it's true that Bellamy rates a player's character at least equal to their talent, there's a lesson there how to build a culture Yeah, he is the best modern NRL coach.
Easy target
Roar Rookie
I don't think you can go that far WB. Like it or not storm got to keep at least one star player more than they should have had if they weren't cheating (I'm a storm fan, but won't ever defend 2 sets of books- I will argue that sharks shouldn't keep the 2016 premiership for the same reasons). If anything I think the record post 2010 has shown how incredible a coach Craig is, I don't think any other club could have won the minor premiership the year after a player clear out or a premiership the year after.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
To implement a system at a club over a long period of time Bellamy without a doubt, To bring a bunch of guys together quickly and get a result Bennett. :thumbup:
Cam
Roar Rookie
My bad, I think Souths are none from 20 in Melbourne. Bellamy leads 27 to Bennetts 10 victories in 37 meetings.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Yeah I think he absolutely pants Bennett coached teams. I recall it was something crazy like 20 in a row??
Porich
Roar Rookie
I rate Bellamy as the best club coach of all time. The biggest reason for this, apart from his record, is any player that goes to the storm performs better and any player that leaves the storm performs worse. With the big 3 no longer playing and storm still dominating, it is clear that Melbourne's success is squarely because of Bellamy. Comparing him to any other modern coaches, I put Bellamy first and then Bennett a nose behind. When comparing across the history of the game it becomes more muddied but he is up there.
Cam
Roar Rookie
He is the GOAT for mine. To maintain such high standards for so long is incredibly tough. Just ask Trent Robinson how that's working out for him. I don't hold the lack of success at Origin against him, it is a part-time position and he has very limited time to work with the squad, but I'd bet if Origin went 25 games, Bellamy would have got NSW over the line. Key highlights for me were the 2020 premiership and the 2010 season where they were playing for no points. I said at the start of Covid, because of lockdown and the disruptions, only the most disciplined and mentally tough team will win the comp. These characteristics need to be instilled and driven home by the coaching staff. Same goes for the 2010 season where they played for no points. That Bellamy was able to get his team up week after week knowing they were never playing finals is a credit to his man-management skills. If points were awarded, they would have finished 5th, only 2 points behind the second placed Panthers.